Fujifilm X-E1

Note that because of the similarities between the X-E1 and X-Pro 1 in many of its key systems and specifications, some of the material in this review is adapted from previously-published content on the X-Pro 1.

When Fujifilm launched the X system in January 2012, it did so with an unusually high-end body: the X-Pro1. With its unique hybrid optical/electronic viewfinder, solid metal body and analogue dial-led control philosophy, it was clearly targeted at professionals and enthusiasts looking for an updated take on the classic rangefinder concept. The X-Pro1 was generally well-received, but its price was always likely to limit its appeal. Fujifilm's X-E1 aims to broaden the line's appeal to wider range of enthusiasts, and will compete directly with the likes of the Sony Alpha NEX-7 and Olympus OM-D E-M5.

Fujifilm X-E1 key features

16MP X-Trans CMOS sensor

ISO 200-6400, 100 - 25600 expanded (JPEG only)

2.36M dot OLED electronic viewfinder

New kit zoom: 18-55mm F2.8-4R

Same control layout as X-Pro1, including top-plate shutter speed and exposure compensation dials

2.8" 460k-dot LCD

Built-in pop-up flash

Full HD movie recording with built-in stereo microphone

2.5mm stereo microphone socket

Compatibility with wired remote control units (via either the USB port or mic socket)

Available in silver or black

The X-E1 is in essence a slimmed-down X-Pro1, with the large, complex and expensive hybrid finder replaced by a purely-electronic viewfinder. Not any old EVF though - it uses a 2.36M dot OLED unit, out-speccing the X-Pro1's 1.44M dot LCD finder. In return its rear screen is slightly downgraded in terms of both size and resolution, to a still-respectable 2.8" 460k dot LCD - according to Fujifilm this is necessary to keep the camera's size down. The result is a compact body that's broadly similar in size to both the much-loved FinePix X100, and its most obvious competitors like the E-M5 and NEX-7.

X-E1 - the more affordable X-Pro1

The X-E1 joins a developing family of unique cameras that truly stand apart from the pack. The major omission from the X-E1 is the hybrid optical viewfinder found in the X100 and X-Pro 1. Left to right are the Fujifilm X100, X-E1 and X-Pro1.

The X-E1 gets a few new features relative to the X-Pro1, commensurate with its class. There's a little built-in pop-up flash, a 2.5mm stereo microphone socket for movie recording, and the ability to use an electronic shutter release cablein addition to the signature threaded shutter release button. But otherwise it's nearly identical to the X-Pro1, using the same 16MP X-Trans CMOS APS-C sensor and EXR Pro image processor, and almost exactly the same control layout and interface.

Firmware tweaks - including improved focusing

It's not just new hardware that Fujifilm has been working on; it's made some significant tweaks under the hood that promise better performance. The good news for existing X-Pro1 owners is that they'll benefit equally from this, with the co-announced firmware version 2 offering all the same updates. File write times have been halved, and the camera can now enter playback to check focus and composition within about two seconds of shooting a single frame. Auto ISO now allows use of ISO 6400, but sadly there's still no way of influencing the minimum shutter speed. The most significant changes, though, have been made to focusing, both auto and manual.

The Fujifilm X-E1 uses a new autofocus algorithm and different sensor drive mode, which promises significantly-improved speed, especially with the XF 60mm F2.4 R Macro lens or when shooting in low light. Indeed Fujifilm claims the X-E1 and X-Pro1 now offer AF speeds competitive with benchmark cameras such as the Olympus OM-D E-M5. The 'feel' of the electronically-driven manual focus has been improved, and critically the camera now sets the aperture wide open in manual focus mode, finally allowing truly accurate focusing using the EVF. There's also a new 3x magnification mode to assist manual focus, which should be less prone to problems with shake when using long lenses.

Overall, this makes the X-E1 on paper a very strong competitor to other high-end EVF-equipped mirrorless models. Its traditional control layout means it should appeal strongly to stills photographers, although its movie capabilities still lag behind the competition (you can manually set the aperture, but have no control over the shutter speed the camera will use).

Size and design compared

Here's the X-E1 compared for size against its most obvious rivals, the Sony Alpha NEX-7 on the left and Olympus OM-D E-M5 on the right, all fitted out with their respective kit zooms. All feature built-in EVFs and multiple control dials; the NEX-7 and E-M5 both have tilting rear screens. The E-M5 also has in-body image stabilization that works with all lenses, but on the other hand lacks a built-in flash.

The X-E1's 'kit' zoom offers the same 18-55mm (~28-80mm equivalent) range as the NEX-7's, but a rather faster aperture, which should be good for both low-light shooting and providing a degree of background blur for portraits. The E-M5's 12-50mm F3.5-6.3 kit zoom offers a wider range, a choice of manual zoom or power zoom for video, and a useful macro setting, but at the expense of maximum aperture.

This is the X-E1 with its 18-55mm kit zoom, alongside its big brother the X-Pro1 equipped with the lovely XF 35mm F1.4 R lens. The X-E1 is substantially smaller due to the elimination of the optical viewfinder, but the two cameras' overall family resemblance is striking.

If you're new to digital photography you may wish to read the Digital Photography Glossary before diving into this article (it may help you understand some of the terms used).

Conclusion / Recommendation / Ratings are based on the opinion of the reviewer, you should read the ENTIRE review before coming to your own conclusions.

We recommend to make the most of this review you should be able to see the difference (at least) between X, Y, and Z and ideally A, B, and C.

This article is Copyright 1998 - 2015 and may NOT in part or in whole be reproduced in any electronic or printed medium without prior permission from the author.

Comments

This maybe a bit random but when shooting at the maximum fps will the X-E1 work better than the Fujifilm Finepix HS20exr because some of the shots i have gotten from my HS20 exr have been all right auto focus wise at the maximum fps for the sports that i take photos for which is the field events in athletics but im wondering if the X-E1 is better.

Between those two? The X-E1. With the right adapters (available all over e-bay and CHEAP) you can put many, many more lenses on it (including Canon...), especially old rangefinder lenses such as those made for Leica M or LTM/M39. there are absolute gems among these. The 600D will have better AF (especially tracking moving subjects) but for everyday shooting, the Fuji will do just fine. Also, you're saying size and weight don't matter? Trust me, you they will very soon :D So yeah, Fuji.

These are two very different cameras, regarding size, viefinder, and other things. Depends on what you need, and it's best to try them these reviews will cover specifications but quite often what matters to you might not be mentioned in reviews.

With the new update, select "ISO Auto" by pressing the right (->) button on the d-padThere you see the settings for the minimum and maximum settings, as well as the minimum shutter speed when under auto settings

The 35mm F1.4 and the 60mm F2.4 Macro (the only two normal / short tele primes at the time of writing) are about equally sharp at f/5.6 and f/8 (see http://slrgear.com/reviews/showproduct.php/product/1487/cat/105 and http://slrgear.com/reviews/showproduct.php/product/1486/cat/105 ). In addition, the 35mm doesn't exhibit much field curvature, unlike, say, the latter-released 27mm/f2.8 pancake (more info on this problem: http://www.photozone.de/fuji_x/855-fuji27f28?start=1 )

Finally, now that the absolutely stellar (see http://slrgear.com/reviews/showproduct.php/product/1674/cat/105 ) Fujinon XF 56mm f/1.2 R is out, non-macro people able to shell out the double the price generally prefer it to the old 60mm F2.4. (Of course, this may not have been a point in choosing the 35mm over the 60mm back then. Nevertheless, we are pretty lucky to have a studio shot demoing the field curvature / sharpness of prolly the most popular Fuji X prime, and not that of one that has since been overshadowed by a newly released one.)

I understand why Fujifilm designed the lens rings with those slim grooves for stylistic reasons, but I find myself frequently turning the wrong one because they all feel the same. I'll get used to it, but a rubber ring on the zoom would help. Also, the zoom ring is stiff and those little grooves are slippery. Rubber would help the grip.

I would suggest turning off the image display as the default is 1.5 seconds. The image display clogs up the EVF for 1.5 seconds making it impractical to follow action. It's in the menu under setup screen 2.

A couple things worth mentioning in terms of this review. The exposure compensation dial on my camera has a very firm detent so there's no chance of an inadvertent movement of the dial. I've loaded body firmware 2.0 and 18-55mm lens firmware 3.0. According to Fujifilm, these updates are supposed to address a number of issues, including the slower focusing. I find the camera/lens focus speed to be quite good with this update in place.

Had my xe-1 2 weeks now and I'm blown away by the quality of the images taken with the kit zoom lens. The images could easily be printed at about 50" and are in practice comparable to my D800. AMAZING! In use too I love it. The EVF whilst not as clear as an SLR viewfinder, tells me all I need to know and enables me to see all the menus without putting on reading specs. I use it exclusively in EVF mode. It is light and handles superbly. The image stabilisation seems incredible- so far, as good as the D800 shots from a tripod! If you're in doubt, go and buy one.